§ 4. Mr. BOYTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Army Clothing Department have taken a building now in course of erection in Regent Street and, if so, for what purpose; if he is aware that the building is in a most unfinished state and that it must be months before it can be completed; and why it is necessary to take premises in Regent Street, where the ground rent value alone is far in excess of the whole rent likely to be charged for a completed building in another and more suitable locality?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)Additional storage accommodation was needed for part-worn clothing in the neighbourhood of the main depot at Marylebone. The owner of the building referred to, who was authorised to carry out certain work at his own expense for the purpose of making it weather-proof, offered it to the Department rent free for six months from the end of March or the duration of the War. The Department has closed with this very favourable offer.
§ Mr. BOYTONMay I ask whether the owner of these premises is a member of any Committee connected with the Army Clothing Department, and would it not be more profitable to adopt the other course?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is quite true that the owner of it is a member of the Clothing Committee of the Royal Army Clothing 1702 Department, but I have to look at it from the point of view of the War Office. We had to choose between putting up a building which would cost £25,000 or finding some temporary storage, which this building offers us.